Toliver leads Sparks past Lynx, 71-63

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kristi Toliver scored 20 of her 29 points in the second half Tuesday as the Los Angeles Sparks beat the Minnesota Lynx 71-63 and clinched a playoff spot.

Candace Parker added 16 points for Los Angeles (15-17). The Sparks are battling San Antonio for third place in the Western Conference. Minnesota has second place in the West sewn up.

Maya Moore scored 20 points for the Lynx (24-8), who have lost two straight.

The Lynx led 63-62 with 2 minutes to play, but the Sparks closed the game on a 9-0 run. Toliver put Los Angeles on top with a turn-around jumper, and then buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Sparks a 67-63 lead.